Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Senators' contributions. I am delighted to be in the Seanad and to reflect with the Senators on the different amendments and sections of the Bill. That is the great thing about the Seanad. Senator Higgins has presented her strong and articulate views on an amendment that has been ruled out of order in the context of her understanding of this section, as well as on the wider issue of proposals for creating a more open adoption process. However, we will come to that in respect of some of her other amendments which I understand are not ruled out order due to the cost issue, as was the case with amendment No. 3.

The Senator's wider points related to the importance of acknowledging the diversity of relationships, particularly the diversity of the family unit. I am sure she will agree that this Bill goes a long way towards doing that, not only in the context of bringing forward a recognition of the diversity of relationships and the possibility of adoption for cohabiting and civil partners, but also in extending the definition of the relevant non-guardians and incorporating that wider number of relevant non-guardians in a number of aspects of the Bill.

The Senator has pointed to the importance of the informal supports that currently exist. They are supported by our statutory agencies, if there is agreement, in terms of contact between birth parents and adoptive parents and supporting children. The Senator suggests more formalisation of those supports. We hope to debate that more extensively in the context of the information and tracing Bill, which Senator Bacik mentioned, where there will be an opportunity to do that a little more in statute as distinct from in this Bill. Of course, I would welcome the opportunity to meet the Senators and others prior to that really important Bill being introduced in the Seanad. We can spend as much time as necessary discussing it in the Seanad to ensure it is as good as it can be before it goes to the Dáil.